Question 1

Do I need a visa to visit Miami?

Accepted Answer

Visa Waiver Program covers 41 nationalities (EU, UK, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan + more) — 90 days without a visa, but ESTA approval required before flying. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov ($21, valid 2 years, decision usually within minutes). ePassport (biometric chip) required. Non-VWP nationalities need a B1/B2 tourist visa via US embassy. Canadians enter visa-free with passport.

Question 2

How do I get from MIA airport to South Beach?

Accepted Answer

Uber/Lyft $30-40, 25-40 min (depending on traffic) is the practical choice. Taxi $40-50. SuperShuttle $15-25 with multiple stops (slower but cheaper). Metrorail + bus $2.65 + 1 hour with transfers (cheapest but not recommended for first-timers with luggage). Uber/Lyft is the answer for most arrivals.

Question 3

Should I fly into MIA or FLL?

Accepted Answer

MIA (Miami International) is closer to South Beach (20 min) + Brickell. International flights from Asia/Europe go here. FLL (Fort Lauderdale) is 45-60 min north — used by Spirit + JetBlue + budget carriers. Choose MIA unless price difference is significant ($100+).

Question 4

Do I need a passport for the Bahamas day cruise?

Accepted Answer

Yes — passport mandatory for the Bahamas. Even though it's a day cruise from Miami, you'll go through Bahamian immigration. Bring passport + ensure it's valid for 6+ months from travel date. The cruise lines won't board you without it.

Question 5

How much does a day in Miami cost?

Accepted Answer

Mid-tier US pricing. Budget: $98/day — hostel + Cuban sandwiches + walking. Mid-range: $215/day — boutique hotel + sit-down restaurants + Wynwood Walls. Luxury: $525+/day — 5-star Faena/Setai + Carbone/Pao tasting. Miami is ~30% pricier than New Orleans/Chicago, ~30% cheaper than NYC/SF.

Question 6

Should I exchange USD before arriving?

Accepted Answer

No — just use cards. US accepts cards universally (including Apple Pay, Google Pay). Bring $100-200 cash in small bills for tips + cash-preferred spots (Joe's Take Away, El Mago de las Fritas). ATMs at MIA + downtown banks. Notify your home bank of travel dates.

Question 7

How much should I tip?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is mandatory culturally. Restaurants: 18-22% (22% at Carbone, Stubborn Seed, Cote). Bars: $1-2 per drink. Uber/Lyft: 10-15%. Hotel bellhop: $2-5 per bag. Housekeeping: $3-5/day cash on the pillow. Watch for auto-added 18% service charge at South Beach restaurants — don't double-tip. The bill will say 'gratuity included' if so.

Question 8

Is sales tax 7%?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Florida sales tax is 7% in Miami-Dade County. Lower than Chicago (10.25%) or NYC (8.875%). A $20 burger costs $21.40 after tax, then $4.28 tip (20%) makes the total $25.68. Most clothing + groceries are tax-exempt; restaurant + retail items are not.

Question 9

Are credit cards accepted everywhere?

Accepted Answer

Almost universally. Even Cuban sandwich counters + food trucks take cards (most via Square). Notable exceptions: El Mago de las Fritas is cash-preferred. Joe's Take Away prefers cash. Pilsen tacos + street vendors are sometimes cash-only. Bring $100 cash backup; most transactions are cardless.

Question 10

How do I get around Miami?

Accepted Answer

Uber/Lyft is the practical choice for everything (Miami is spread out + walking between neighborhoods is rare). South Beach is walkable; Wynwood is walkable; Little Havana is walkable. Between neighborhoods: Uber. Brightline train (downtown to Fort Lauderdale + Orlando) for longer trips. Metromover (free downtown monorail) for Brickell + Bayside. Rent a car only for Everglades + Key West day trips.

Question 11

Is the trolley free?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Miami Beach Trolley is free. Loops between South Beach, Mid-Beach, North Beach, Allison Island. Slow but free. Coral Gables also has a free trolley (Coral Way + Coral Gables Trolley). Useful for short hops within South Beach + Mid-Beach.

Question 12

Should I rent a car?

Accepted Answer

Yes for Everglades or Key West day trips. Public transport doesn't reach either. No for the city itself — Uber/Lyft cover everything, parking is expensive ($30-50/day at South Beach hotels) and limited. Rent a car for specific trip days, return same day at airport.

Question 13

MacArthur Causeway to South Beach — how long?

Accepted Answer

4 km bridge — 10 min in light traffic, 30+ min in rush hour. Miami traffic to/from South Beach is notorious: rush hour (07:30-09:30 + 17:00-19:30) doubles travel time. Friday-Saturday evenings the bridge is solid traffic. Use Uber to spread the cost.

Question 14

How do I get to the Everglades?

Accepted Answer

1.5h drive west on Tamiami Trail (US-41). Rent a car ($50-100/day) or join a guided tour ($60-90 includes transport + airboat + alligator + lunch). Coopertown Airboats (since 1945) or Sawgrass Recreation Park are reliable airboat operators. Most tours pickup at South Beach + Brickell hotels.

Question 15

How do I get to Key West?

Accepted Answer

3.5h drive south on US-1 Overseas Highway. Rent a car ($60-120/day) — must drive it yourself; no public transit. Bahia Honda State Park (1.5h mark) for a beach break. Overnight stay recommended (Key West deserves more than a day-trip). Hotels $200-500/night.

Question 16

When is the best time to visit Miami?

Accepted Answer

November-April is the dry season — 24-28°C, low humidity, mostly sunny. December-February is peak high-season (Art Basel December, Spring Break March). April-May is the sleeper-best month (still dry, smaller crowds, hotel rates dropping). May-October is rainy + 30-35°C + hurricane season (June-November) — only visit if you accept tropical heat + storms.

Question 17

Is Miami summer that bad?

Accepted Answer

Yes — May-October is uncomfortable. Daily temperatures 30-35°C with 80%+ humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms common. Mosquitoes everywhere. Hurricane risk (Jun-Nov). South Beach is empty + hotels 50% off. Visit only if budget is priority or doing a quick stopover.

Question 18

Hurricane season — when + how serious?

Accepted Answer

June 1 - November 30 is officially Atlantic hurricane season. Peak is mid-August to mid-October. Most years pass without major hurricane direct hits but tropical storms cause flooding + flight delays. Travel insurance with weather coverage is essential during this window.

Question 19

What should I pack for Miami?

Accepted Answer

Year-round basics: SPF 50+ sunscreen, swimsuit, sunglasses, light cotton clothes, walking shoes, insect repellent. November-April evenings add a light jacket or sweater (drops to 18-20°C after sunset). Smart casual for Joe's Stone Crab, Carbone, Stubborn Seed (no shorts/caps). Cocktail attire for LIV / E11even nightclubs. Spanish phrases helpful (40% Hispanic households).

Question 20

Is Miami safe for tourists?

Accepted Answer

Tourist core is generally safe (South Beach, Mid-Beach, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Design District, Wynwood during day). Avoid: Overtown + Liberty City (gang violence — these neighborhoods are 5-10 min west of downtown but tourists rarely visit). Ocean Drive after 02:00 has drunk crowds + occasional violence. Spring Break (March) makes South Beach chaotic.

Question 21

Watch out for beach theft?

Accepted Answer

Real and common. Don't leave bags, electronics, or anything visible on beach. Use hotel beach service (cabana with personal attendant $25-50/day) or rotate beach time with a partner. Don't display jewelry. Petty theft at South Beach is the most-reported tourist crime.

Question 22

Emergency numbers?

Accepted Answer

911 for police + fire + ambulance. Hospital ERs charge $5,000+ for basic visits — travel insurance is critical. Mount Sinai Medical Center (Miami Beach) + Jackson Memorial (downtown) are the major ERs. Tap water is safe — Miami's water meets all federal standards but tastes mineral-heavy; many drink bottled.

Question 23

Is solo travel safe for women?

Accepted Answer

South Beach + Mid-Beach + Brickell + Coral Gables are fine after dark. Avoid at night: Ocean Drive after 02:00, Overtown + Liberty City always, beach areas without lifeguards or crowds. Uber/Lyft from rideshare zones (not random street corners). Share trip details. Standard tropical-city precautions apply.

Question 24

Watch out for anything specific?

Accepted Answer

Sunburn + dehydration — UV index 9-11 year-round, drink 3+ liters of water daily. Mosquitoes — Zika + Dengue concerns, use repellent. Riptides at beach — South Beach lifeguards post warnings, swim near them. Aggressive sales on Ocean Drive — don't engage with menu-pushers. Auto-added 18% service charge at restaurants — check before tipping additional.

Question 25

Is Spanish necessary in Miami?

Accepted Answer

Not strictly, but very useful. 40% of Miami households speak Spanish primarily. Cuban-American culture is dominant. English universal in tourism + hotels + major restaurants. Spanish helpful in Little Havana, Uber rides, casual food vendors. Learn 'hola' (hello), 'gracias' (thanks), 'por favor' (please) — improves your experience.

Question 26

How does tipping work in South Beach?

Accepted Answer

Watch for the auto-tip. Many South Beach restaurants (Ocean Drive especially) add an 18% gratuity automatically + may suggest additional tipping on the receipt — don't double-tip. Look for 'service included' or 'gratuity added' on the bill. If gratuity is auto-added at 18%, add $0-5 extra for great service or skip the additional.

Question 27

Cuban coffee — how do I order?

Accepted Answer

Cafecito (small espresso shot with sugar mixed in) is the standard order — $1-3, sip standing at the ventanita. Colada is the same espresso served in a larger cup with multiple shot glasses for sharing — $3-5, for groups. Café con leche (cafecito with steamed milk in a bigger cup) — $3-5, for non-espresso drinkers. Order at the ventanita (walk-up window).

Question 28

Is Miami LGBTQ+ friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes — extremely. South Beach has been the international LGBTQ+ destination since the 1980s. The Cabaret South Beach + Twist are landmark gay bars. Winter Party Festival (Mar) + Miami Beach Pride (Apr) are major events. The entire South Beach is LGBTQ-friendly day + night.

Question 29

What must I eat in Miami?

Accepted Answer

5 essentials: 1) Stone crab claws at Joe's Stone Crab ($50-150, Oct-May season only — invented as a US dish here in 1913). 2) Cuban sandwich + cafecito at Versailles ($10-25, since 1971). 3) Mission tacos at Coyo Taco ($10-20, Wynwood iconic). 4) KYU wood-fire Asian BBQ ($40-80, James Beard nominee Wynwood). 5) Carbone spicy rigatoni vodka ($80-150, the viral social media dish — book 4-6 weeks ahead).

Question 30

Where do locals eat in Little Havana?

Accepted Answer

Versailles (since 1971) for the iconic ventanita cafecito + pastelito experience. Sergio's (since 1976) for value Cuban + multiple locations. El Mago de las Fritas (since 1984, James Beard Award) for Frita Cubana. La Carreta for family-friendly Cuban. Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop (Wynwood, $8 best Cuban sandwich in town).

Question 31

How hard is it to book Carbone?

Accepted Answer

Hardest reservation in Miami. Book 4-6 weeks ahead via Resy. Reservations release at midnight Eastern exactly 30 days in advance and sell out in seconds. Stubborn Seed ($80-150, Jeremy Ford Top Chef) is the easier Michelin alternative. Cote ($100-200) is the Korean BBQ Michelin option (2-3 weeks ahead).

Question 32

Joe's Stone Crab — really worth the 1-2 hour wait?

Accepted Answer

For stone crab in season (Oct 15 - May 1): yes. Joe's Stone Crab (1913) is Miami's defining culinary institution. No reservations — walk-in only. Arrive 11:30 (lunch) or 17:00 (dinner). Closed August-September (stone crab season closed). Adjacent Joe's Take Away has the crabs to-go without the wait. Garcia's Seafood (Miami River, since 1966) is the value alternative at half the price.

Question 33

What are the top 5 must-see sights?

Accepted Answer

Top 5: 1) South Beach + Ocean Drive Art Deco (800+ pastel buildings, world's largest Art Deco district, free). 2) Wynwood Walls ($12, open-air street art museum + 100+ international muralists). 3) Little Havana + Versailles (Cuban cultural heart + iconic ventanita cafecito). 4) Vizcaya Museum + Gardens ($25, 1916 Italian Renaissance villa + 10-acre formal gardens). 5) Everglades National Park ($35 + airboat $25-75, day trip 1.5h west — wild alligators + sawgrass prairies).

Question 34

Is the Art Deco walking tour worth it?

Accepted Answer

Yes for design + history fans. Miami Design Preservation League's 90-min guided tour ($30) is professional + thorough. Self-guided audio tour (free MDPL app) is the alternative for a 1-hour route. Walking Ocean Drive without context misses the architectural depth. Pair with sunset on the beach after.

Question 35

Wynwood Walls — really $12 for street art?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the surrounding free streets are 80% as good. The $12 main park (Wynwood Walls) has the most-curated murals + Tony Goldman's original collection. The free streets around (NW 23rd-29th, NW 2nd-6th) have additional 50+ murals from new artists. Most visitors do both. Saturday Wynwood ArtWalk (2nd Saturday) evening is free + lively with galleries open + live music.

Question 36

Is the Everglades worth the day?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Miami's signature day trip. 6,500 sq km, only subtropical national park in the US. Wild alligators commonly seen on airboat. Best Nov-Apr (avoid summer for mosquitoes + heat). Coopertown Airboats (1945) or Sawgrass Recreation Park are reliable. Guided tour ($60-90) includes transport + airboat + lunch + better value than self-drive.

Question 37

Star Island celebrity tour boat — legit?

Accepted Answer

Yes — fun for celebrity fans. Island Queen Cruises (90 min, $30-50, departs Bayside Marketplace) passes former mansions of Diddy, Madonna, Shaq, Gloria Estefan, Bee Gees + current Miami celebs. Most homes are visible from the bay; the boat narrator is entertaining. Sunset cruise (5-7pm) is the photo opportunity.

Question 38

Vizcaya Museum + Gardens — worth $25?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Miami's most-photographed location. 1916 Italian Renaissance villa built by industrialist James Deering. 70 rooms + 10-acre formal gardens + direct Biscayne Bay frontage. The garden + bay views are wedding-photo-famous. Allow 3 hours for full visit. Closed Wednesdays.

Miami Travel FAQ

Miami Travel FAQ — Key Answers

Visa & Entry